A core teaching · reflective in mood · a little context helps
“Steady wisdom does not need life to feel favorable.”
One who feels no clinging anywhere, and neither rejoices nor hates when good or bad comes, has steady wisdom.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallywho · everywhere · without clinging · that-that · having obtained · good and bad · not · rejoices · not · hates · of that one · wisdom · firmly established
A person with steady wisdom does not cling to anything. When good or bad events happen, they neither get thrilled nor upset.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Sankhya Yoga" (The Yoga of Knowledge).
Verse 57 sits in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, "The Yoga of Knowledge". The chapter has 72 verses in total.
You get the message that changed the plan is bad news, then the next hour brings unexpected praise. Both can hit the same inbox. This verse teaches you not to build your identity from either one.
Did you like this verse?
It shifts attention from reacting to events toward remaining inwardly even as events change.
What this verse means
A person with steady wisdom does not cling to anything. When good or bad events happen, they neither get thrilled nor upset.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna is frozen between duty and grief. Krishna keeps describing the person whose mind no longer lurches with gain and loss. This verse sharpens that state: neither praise nor pain can disturb settled understanding.
Why this verse still matters
You get the message that changed the plan is bad news, then the next hour brings unexpected praise. Both can hit the same inbox. This verse teaches you not to build your identity from either one.
“You can meet life fully without being pulled around by every result.”
Explore related themes: equanimity (23 verses)